You know the voice. It's that booming, energetic invitation that has echoed through living rooms for decades. "Come on down!" It is arguably the most famous catchphrase in television history, but the person shouting it isn't the host. While Drew Carey gets the face time, the heartbeat of the show starts with the announcer. If you’ve tuned in lately, you’re hearing George Gray. He’s been the man behind the podium since 2011, bringing a specific kind of high-octane energy that somehow manages to keep pace with contestants who are literally vibrating with excitement.
George Gray isn't just a voice in a booth, though. Unlike the early days of game shows where the announcer was a mysterious entity hidden behind a curtain or a piece of plexiglass, George is a physical presence on the set. He’s often seen modeling prizes, cracking jokes with Drew, or occasionally wiping out while trying to run backwards on a treadmill. It’s a demanding gig. You have to be a voice actor, a live performer, and a brand ambassador all at once.
The George Gray Era: More Than Just a Voice
When George Gray took over the role, he had some massive shoes to fill. He wasn't some newcomer to the world of hosting, either. You might remember him from the US version of Weakest Link or his time on Junkyard Wars. That background in "high-stakes" hosting gave him a unique edge for The Price Is Right. He doesn't just read descriptions of luggage sets; he sells the dream of the vacation.
George officially became the permanent The Price Is Right announcer in April 2011. He followed a somewhat tumultuous period for the show after the passing of the legendary Rod Roddy. The show experimented with a rotating door of guest announcers—everyone from JD Roberto to Jeff Davis—before realizing George had the right "vibe." He’s funny. He’s self-deprecating. Honestly, his chemistry with Drew Carey is a huge reason the show felt so seamless after the transition from the Bob Barker era.
What’s wild is how much physical work George does. On most game shows, the announcer sits in a soundproof room with a script and a bottle of water. On The Price Is Right, George is frequently part of the sketches. If there’s a goofy bit involving a new car or a hot tub, George is usually right there in the thick of it. He once famously fell off a treadmill while announcing it as a prize, a clip that went viral because he didn't miss a single beat of the copy while he was sliding off the machine. That’s a pro.
The Legends Who Came Before
To understand the role of The Price Is Right announcer, you have to look at the lineage. This isn't just a job; it's a legacy.
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Johnny Olson: The Architect of "Come On Down"
From the show’s revival in 1972 until his death in 1985, Johnny Olson was the voice. He actually invented the phrase "Come on down!" It wasn't scripted to be the phenomenon it became. It was just a way to get people to the stage. Johnny’s voice had a classic, old-school radio quality—rich, warm, and authoritative. He set the gold standard. When people think of the "classic" era of the show, they’re hearing Johnny.
Rod Roddy: The Flashy Icon
After Johnny passed, the show found Rod Roddy. If Johnny was the voice, Rod was the personality. He was known for his incredibly loud, colorful, and often sequined suits. He became a character in his own right. Rod’s delivery was punchier and more staccato. He held the mic from 1986 until 2003. Even during his battle with cancer toward the end of his life, his dedication to the "Come on down" remained unshakable. He transformed the role from a narrator to a co-star.
Rich Fields: The Bridge
Following Rod Roddy's death, Rich Fields took over from 2004 to 2010. Rich was a meteorologist by trade, and he brought a very polished, professional "big-city" energy to the show. He was the announcer during the monumental transition when Bob Barker retired and Drew Carey took the reins. It was a period of massive change, and Rich provided a sense of stability.
What Does the Announcer Actually Do?
It’s a lot more than just shouting names. The announcer is essentially the "hype man" for the entire production. Before the cameras even start rolling, the announcer is usually out there warming up the studio audience. Think about it: these people have been standing in line for hours in the California sun. They’re tired. The announcer’s job is to get them back to a fever pitch so that when the lights go up, the energy is electric.
During the show, the announcer has to manage:
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- The Script: Describing prizes with perfect timing so the camera cuts match the descriptions.
- Contestant Names: Reading the names of the people chosen to "Come on down" without tripping over pronunciations.
- The Flow: Transitioning between games, commercials, and the Showcase Showdown.
- The Improv: Reacting to Drew Carey’s quips or the chaotic behavior of excited contestants.
George Gray has mentioned in interviews that the script is massive. Every single prize—from a bottle of dish soap to a Ferrari—has a specific blurb that has to be read with a certain level of enthusiasm. You can't sound bored when you're talking about a toaster, because to the person playing the game, that toaster might be the key to winning a trip to Tahiti.
The Selection Process: How George Won the Gig
Getting the job as The Price Is Right announcer is harder than getting into Harvard. When Rich Fields left in 2010, the producers didn't just pick a name out of a hat. They held an extensive search. They brought in "guest announcers" for weeks at a time to see how the audience reacted and, more importantly, how they got along with Drew.
George Gray was actually a fan-favorite during his trial period. He had this "everyman" quality that fit perfectly with Drew Carey’s more casual, "regular guy" hosting style. While previous announcers felt like "Announcers" with a capital A, George felt like a guy you’d grab a beer with—who just happened to have a voice like a pipe organ.
Why the Announcer Matters for SEO and Fans
People search for the announcer because they represent the "constant" in the show. Hosts change, sets are repainted, and the "Yodeling Man" gets a digital upgrade, but the voice remains the gateway to the game. When someone asks "who is The Price Is Right announcer," they’re often looking for that connection to a specific era of their life. For many, George Gray represents the modern, rejuvenated version of the show that has successfully captured a younger generation of viewers on Paramount+ and CBS.
The show has survived for over 50 years because it respects its traditions while allowing for new personalities to shine. George doesn't try to be Rod Roddy. He doesn't try to be Johnny Olson. He’s George. He wears cool shirts, he makes fun of himself, and he treats every "Come on down" like it’s the first time he’s ever said it.
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Common Misconceptions
One big thing people get wrong is thinking the announcer is just a recording. Everything you hear is live in the studio. If George flubs a word, it’s there. If a contestant screams so loud he can’t be heard, he has to adjust on the fly. It is a high-wire act. Another misconception is that the announcer picks the contestants. They don't. That’s the job of the producers (famously Stan Blits), who interview every single person in the audience before the show. The announcer just gets the cue card with the name on it.
Practical Insights for Fans
If you're looking to keep up with George Gray or the world of The Price Is Right, here are a few things you can actually do:
- Watch for the Bloopers: George is a king of physical comedy. Search for "George Gray treadmill fall" or his various mishaps with prize models; it shows the human side of the production.
- Check the Credits: Sometimes, if George is sick or on vacation, the show uses guest announcers. If the voice sounds different, check the end credits—the show often brings back former guest favorites or voice-over legends.
- Follow Social Media: George is active on social platforms where he often shares behind-the-scenes clips of the "announcer's pod," which is surprisingly small given the scale of the set.
- Attend a Taping: If you’re ever in Los Angeles (or whenever the show tours), seeing the announcer work in person is a masterclass in professional broadcasting. You see the "off-camera" work that never makes it to TV.
The role of the announcer is the glue of the program. Without that voice, the prizes are just objects and the contestants are just people standing in an aisle. George Gray continues to prove that while the host might be the face, the announcer is the soul of the show.
Next Steps for Enthusiasts
To stay updated on the show's cast, visit the official CBS The Price Is Right casting page or follow the show's verified Instagram account for daily clips of George Gray in action. If you're interested in the history of game show broadcasting, exploring the Museum of Broadcast Communications archives provides deep-dive recordings of Johnny Olson’s original 1972 sessions.